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00:00:00 – 00:10:23
The video explores the life and legacy of Victoriano Lorenzo, an important figure in Latin American history. Born in 1867 in the Capira district of Panama, Lorenzo emerged as a key guerrilla fighter during the Thousand Days War, a civil conflict that took place from 1899 to 1902. Despite minimal formal education, Lorenzo learned essential skills from a Jesuit priest, which helped shape his future leadership. He became friends with Belisario Porras, a future Panamanian president, and held roles such as cocoa councilor before being imprisoned for defending indigenous rights.
During the Thousand Days War, Lorenzo led several indigenous battalions in guerrilla warfare against conservative forces, achieving notable victories and capturing key locations like Penonomé and Aguadulce. The conflict concluded with the Treaty of Wisconsin, mediated by the United States due to its interest in the Panama Canal.
Lorenzo's resistance continued even after the peace treaty, leading to his eventual capture and execution on May 15, 1903, orchestrated by conservative leaders under dubious legal pretenses. His death was seen as a martyrdom, drawing parallels to Jesus Christ, and aimed at deterring further resistance. Lorenzo's execution predated Panama's separation from Colombia by only a few months.
Decades later, in 1966, the Panamanian National Assembly posthumously recognized Lorenzo as a national hero. The video concludes with a call for engagement from viewers.
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In this part of the video, the focus is on the early life and significant events in the life of Victoriano Lorenzo. Born in Cocoa, Capira district in 1867, Lorenzo is noted for his role in the Thousand Days War and is regarded as one of Latin America’s first guerrilla fighters. Despite having limited formal education, thanks to a Jesuit priest, he learned to read, write, and count. His teenage trip to Panama City led to a key friendship with future Panamanian President Belisario Porras. Lorenzo was appointed a cocoa councilor in 1889 and married María Lorenza Mora in 1890. He was later imprisoned for nine years for the death of a corrupt councilor exploiting indigenous people. After his release, Lorenzo joined the Thousand Days War on May 25, 1900, forming an alliance with Porras to fight the conservative government.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the events surrounding the Battle of La Negra Vieja and subsequent conflicts are described. Victoria rises to the rank of captain and leads his battalion following a liberal defeat at the Battle of Calidonia Bridge in 1901. Government troops intensify efforts against indigenous insurgents, including burning indigenous cocoa crops. Victoria and his men engage in guerrilla warfare, achieving significant victories like capturing the towns of Penonomé and Aguadulce, forcing conservative troops to retreat. The liberal guerrillas plan an offensive to take Colom and Panama but ultimately, the conflict ends with the signing of the Treaty of Wisconsin on November 21, 1902, mediated by the United States, which had interests in building a canal in the region.
00:06:00
In this segment, Victoria was not captured on November 28th during the weapons handover in San Carlos, as he and his troops allegedly rejected the peace treaty. Although some units did not favor surrendering, Victoriano mysteriously escaped imprisonment on Christmas Eve 1902, only to be recaptured the next day. Conservatives exploited this to falsely charge him and seek his execution. On May 13, 1903, General Pedro Sicard Briceño from Bogotá convened a court-martial, and within 24 hours, Victoriano was sentenced to death. The trial appeared legal but was actually a façade, influenced by prejudiced statements from key figures like General Jose Segundo Ruiz. On May 15, in Plaza de Francia, Victoriano, blindfolded and read his sentence, was executed by firing squad at 36, forgiving all and likening his death to Jesus Christ’s. Despite public pleas, his body was denied a Christian burial and transported disrespectfully to the cemetery, horrifying onlookers.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the burial of a symbolic rebellion leader against injustices in Colombia. The leader’s death was intended to intimidate others who opposed the government. The segment highlights that less than six months after his execution, Panama separated from Colombia on November 3. Many years later, on January 30, 1966, Panama’s National Assembly sought to reestablish his historical figure as a national hero. The speaker ends by encouraging viewers to like, subscribe, comment, and share the video.